I’ve been waitlisted for the following show. This does not surprise me because it’s a popular show and many artists come back year after year. Still, I’m hoping a jewelry artist backs out and makes room for me. I’ll update this post if they do.
Two scheduled upcoming shows and two still in the jury process.
I was going to wait before posting this, but since one of my upcoming art show appearances is coming up next weekend, I thought it best to provide information about what’s on my calendar and what may (hopefully) be added soon.
Confirmed Shows
I made this White Buffalo on sterling silver pendant yesterday as I build inventory for my upcoming shows. Shown here with a howlite and sterling silver necklace (available separately), I suspect it’ll be sold in Seattle next weekend.
These are shows that are confirmed.
• Best of the Northwest
November 7-9, 2025
Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Contact me directly for free tickets to this show. I have a limited number of them, so first come, first served. Look for me in Row H.
This is my first time at this show and my first show in Arizona since 2021. I’m thrilled to be back and I hope I see you there.
Shows Still Being Juried
I premiered this new earring style at my last Leavenworth Village Art in the Park show in September. Textured sterling silver, they each have two or three bezel-set cabochons. This one is Variscite.
I only participate in juried art shows. That means that all artists must submit photos of their work to be judged before being accepted. The jury process also takes into account the number of artists in each category. Jewelry is tough; there are a lot of jeweler out there! I hope to make the cut for these two new (to me) Arizona shows in 2026.
By the way, I’ll be doing all of the Arizona shows with my good friend Janet LeRoy, who has been making art for longer than the 30 years I’ve known her. You can see her work on her website; if you come to any of these Arizona shows, be sure to stop by her booth, too.
I’ve pretty much given up on trying to keep this website updated as I make new work.
I’ve come up with a new style for the Keum Boo earrings I make and they’re perfect for autumn! These are fine silver with 24k gold fused onto the surface. Blackening the silver makes them pop!
I’ll admit it: I’ve pretty much given up on trying to keep this website updated as I make new work. It’s extremely time consuming to do and I’d much rather spend that time making or sketching out ideas for new jewelry.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that because my Square-based online shop is also my inventory system, I update that every time I add new items or remove items sold to wholesale clients or at jewelry shows. So you’ll find a much more up-to-date listing with details of everything new I make, usually within a week of completion.
Expanded Open Studio opportunities for guests and jewelry makers; see a studio tour video!
After fully overhauling and organizing my jewelry studio and classroom, I’ve decided to open my studio to more than just guests. Starting in April 2025, my studio will be open for three kinds of visitors:
Visitors who are curious about silversmithing and want to see what I’m working on. Visits up to one hour are free but reservations are required. You are welcome to brows and buy from my inventory when you visit.
Visitors with some metalworking experience who want one-on-one training in my studio to make their own projects. This is especially good for new jewelry makers who need guidance and lack a fully equipped studio of their own. Studio time is charged at the rate of $50/hour in 1/4 hour increments with a 2-hour minimum.
Experienced jewelry makers who have worked with me before (or are willing to go through a 15-minute orientation) and want to take advantage of tools and equipment in my studio that they don’t have in their own workspaces. This is a great opportunity to complete projects on their own using specialized tool that are otherwise unavailable to them. (It’s also a great chance to try tools you’re thinking of buying; I am a EuroTool reseller and may be able to get you a good deal.) Studio time is charged at the rate of $25/hour in 1/4 hour increments with a 2-hour minimum
About My Studio
I make all of my jewelry at this workbench.
My home-based studio/classroom is a 12 x 24 room off my garage. It is insulated and features portable climate control, depending on the season.
The studio is fully equipped with a wide range of hand tools, flex shaft, ring and bracelet mandrels, disc cutter, metal shear, rolling mill, grinding/polishing wheel, anvil, vice, ring bender, complete soldering/annealing station, and more.
Want a preview? Here’s a video tour shot in March 2025:
Although supplies such as pickle, liver of sulfur, and limited sanding and polishing supplies are included, materials such as metal, stones, and beads are not; many materials are available for purchase at the studio, including hundreds of gemstone cabochons obtained at Arizona art shows over the years. (I suspect I have the largest collection in Washington State.)
Dates & Reservations
Right now, all open studio hours are on Wednesdays between 9 AM and 4 PM. You can check the Event Calendar for upcoming dates, as well as project-based classes. A different day might be available Studio use, whether guided or unguided, is limited to two people. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow anyone under 18 years old.
Reservations are required at least 2 days in advance for all open studio times. (The studio will be closed to the public if there are no reservations.)
If you are just a visitor or you’re coming to work for the first time, you’ll need to call me first at 509-699-8044 (leave a message if I don’t answer) so I know what you have in mind.
If you’re coming to work or learn, I want to make sure my studio can accommodate your needs. Once we’ve established that it can, a non-refundable prepayment for two hours is required. (You can thank the folks with last minute cancellations in the past for this policy.) At the end of your visit, you’ll be required to pay for any additional time.
In my never-ending exploration of new materials and techniques, I’ve begun working with Shibuichi, a Japanese alloy of copper and sterling silver.
In my never-ending exploration of new materials and techniques, I’ve begun working with Shibuichi, a Japanese alloy of copper and sterling silver known for the interesting effects that can be accomplished by applying patinas.
A new material, a new earring design. Shibuichi has come to ML Jewelry Designs!
This is my very first Shibuichi project, where I combined a variety of metalworking techniques — texturing, cutting, and doming — to produce domed disc shapes. Once the components were made, I used several metal finishing processes, including tumbling, scrubbing to prepare for the patina, and then applying several coats of a specialized patina, washing and judging the color for the desired effect between each application. Finally, I assembled each earring using sterling silver jump rings and hand-formed sterling ear wires.
What’s interesting about this material, as opposed to my sterling silver earrings, is that the texture pattern appears in a lighter color; normally, my processes for sterling silver make the pattern appear as the darker color.
Although it’s hard to see in this photo, the color of the copper included in this alloy does show through a bit, giving the earrings a somewhat golden hint of color.
I set up Open Studio days for visitors to tour my jewelry studio and watch me work.
I made 11 pairs of fine silver spiral hoop earrings this past week.
I was on the road for much of 2023 and 2024, but I’m back now and hard at work in my studio, creating inventory to send out to the shops that sell my work and to bring to the shows I sell at in person. I’ve already listed some classes for specific projects, but I’ve also decided to open my shop for guests who just want to see how I make some of my jewelry or join me to make something of their own.
If you’re interested in learning more about how I make my jewelry, check the calendar for one of my Open Studio dates. Find one that works for you and contact me to make an appointment for a studio tour. (I cannot allow walk-ins; my studio is at my home and if I’m not expecting someone to join me, I might not be available. My calendar is subject to last-minute changes.)
I’ll be making various riffs on my segmented circle pendant design over the next few weeks.
If you’d like to learn jewelry making with me, I recommend that you browse through my online shop and find a jewelry item that you’d like to make. Then get in touch, and let me know what you’re interested in. I can give you an estimate of the time and materials cost and we can set up an appointment for a class, possibly on one of the upcoming Open Studio dates.
Keep in mind that if you’re already a jewelry maker and just need access to a shop with specialized tools you don’t have, my Open Studio time is when you can use my tools and equipment for an hourly fee. Contact me to learn more.
No jewelry studio is complete without a flex shaft. This Euro Tool 1/4 hp flex shaft retails for $119.95; I sell it for $90. (Pick up only; I cannot ship large tools.)
An Open Studio date is also a good time to purchase jewelry making supplies or tools that you can’t find elsewhere in our area. I work with real sterling and fine silver, as well as quality copper and gemstone cabochons — none of which is available locally. Contact me if you need to buy something for your jewelry making needs. Remember, I’m now a Euro Tools dealer and can get just about any of their products for you at a discount.
As always, if you have any questions, contact me. As my contact page explains, my phone does not ring for unknown callers, so me sure to leave a message if you call. Text is the best way to reach me; I respond quickest to text messages.
I’ve scheduled Open Studio days through March so far and will be adding more dates as the year progresses.
I can now sell Euro Tool tools and other products directly to jewelry class students and others.
ML Jewelry Designs is based in Malaga, in the Wenatchee, WA area. If you live anywhere near here, you know how hard it is to get quality tools and supplies for making jewelry. Although I get most of my materials (other than stones) from Rio Grande, I’m also a big fan of Euro Tool brand equipment. In fact, my flex shaft, which I bought at my first silversmithing class, is a Euro Tool. It was a great addition to my studio and its still going strong all these years later.
Although I will be stocking some commonly used tools and equipment to make them available to my students, I will not carry the entire catalog of products. There are literally hundreds of products available. But I can get Euro Tool products for you with convenient pickup at my studio, in Wenatchee, or in Leavenworth when I’m there for Village Art in the Park during select summer weekends. Contact me for more information.
You can learn more about Euro Tool products and see their entire catalog on their website: www.Eurotool.com.
A two-day class that teaches silversmithing techniques in a professional jewelry studio.
I’m really pleased to announce a new class I’m offering at my Malaga studio that covers many of the silversmithing skills I use to make my jewelry. Open to just two students at a time, I’ll be offering it several times over the summer of 2025. You can check availability and sign up in my online shop. So far, I’m offering it in May, but if my calendar clears up a little, I may offer it in April first.
Here’s a full description:
Silversmithing 101
This two-day class covers all of the basic silversmithing skills you need to make custom jewelry from copper, silver, or gold. I’ll start by telling you what you need to know to work with metal, and then go right into exercises that teach and build skills. By the end of class, you should have a few handmade jewelry items to show off to friends and family members and enough know-how to make more on your own.
Over the course of two days, students will learn:
Cutting techniques with shears, wire cutters, and jeweler’s saw
Filing and sanding to smooth edges
Annealing metal to soften it
Texturing with texture hammers and rolling mill texture plates
Stamping with metal stamps
Shaping metal using mandrels and dapping blocks
Riveting and soldering to join metal pieces
Creating bezel settings for cabochons
Making findings such as jump rings, ear wires, and head pins
Polishing and applying patinas
Students will have access to the following tools:
Bench pin, bench block, pliers and other hand tools, mandrels
Hand shears, sheet metal shear, wire cutters, jeweler’s saws
Files, sandpaper and sanding sticks
Flex shaft with numerous tools for sanding and polishing
Rolling mill with texture plates
Stamps and hammers
Complete soldering station including torches, blocks, annealing pan, quenching bowl, and pickle pot
Tumblers with related supplies and equipment
Grinder with polishing wheels
And more!
Students can complete a number of jewelry making projects or create something on their own. Sample projects include:
Textured earrings
Stamped bracelet
Stack rings
Bezel-set pendant
Details
Class fee: $320 per person
Includes: Two days of hands-on training in my jewelry studio, copper sheet metal and wire for practice and finished pieces, incidental supplies and materials, use of tools and equipment. Bottled water, pop, and a light lunch (sandwiches and salad) will be provided at break time. (There is no place to get lunch nearby, but you are welcome to bring your own.) Sterling silver and cabochons to set into a pendant or ring are available at an additional cost.
Class timing: Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM with 1 hour for lunch and two shorter breaks in the morning and afternoon.
Maximum Class Size: 2 people
Minimum age: 16 and older; attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cancellation Policy: Once booked, you may cancel the class up to 7 days before the class start date. There is a $10 cancellation fee to cover the cost of refunding your payment; my credit card processor, Square, will not refund the credit card fees I pay. I cannot refund class fees if you cancel within 7 days of the class start date, so if you need to back out last minute, I highly recommend that you find someone to take your place. If I have to cancel the class for any reason, the full amount of your class fees will be refunded.
New classes in February at my Malaga, WA jewelry studio.
Now that I’m mostly done traveling and I’m spending a lot more time in my jewelry studio, I’ve decided to open up the studio for small groups of up to 4 students to teach various jewelry making projects. Each two-hour class will either complete one specific project, such as a copper cuff bracelet or sterling silver earrings, or teach general silversmithing skills. Most classes are suitable for ages 15 and older. Everything will be provided, including materials, use of tools, and a suitable workspace.
These are the Split bar dangle earrings I can teach you to make in class.
So far, I have five classes scheduled for February 2024:
Saturday, February 8, 2025:
12 pm to 2 pm – Patterned copper cuff bracelets
2 pm to 4 pm – Air chased copper cuff bracelets
Sunday, February 9, 2025:
12 pm to 2 pm – Spiral hoop earrings
2 pm to 4 pm – Split bar dangle earrings
Saturday, February 22, 2025:
12 pm to 2 pm – Findings: Jump rings, head pins, and ear wires
I’ll be around for about two weeks in April and will be available for one-on-one classes in my jewelry shop.
Sterling Silver Split Bar Dangle earrings with malachite bead.
Some folks might know that I’ve been on the road for much of 2024, but I’m returning home and to my jewelry shop in mid April for about two weeks. Although I’ll be busy building inventory to send out to the shops that sell my work when I can’t do shows, I will have time to do hands-on, project based training for one or two people at a time most days I’m back.
My classes are held in my Malaga, WA studio, which is fully equipped to make all the jewelry I sell in person, in shops, and online. You can see a studio tour video on YouTube. Depending on your existing skill levels, I can teach you how to make just about any of the jewelry I make. I charge by the hour in 1/4 hour increments with a 2-hour minimum. This includes instruction and use of all tools needed for the project. Materials fees, which vary based on the project, also apply. Right now, I’m set up to teach a maximum of 2 people at a time.
If you’d like to explore silversmithing or other jewelry making with me, I recommend that you browse through my online shop and find a jewelry item that you’d like to make. Then get in touch, and let me know what you’re interested in. I can give you an estimate of the time and materials cost and we can set up an appointment for a class.
